User:ItalianBevBI/Birra Italia

Food Birra Italia is an Italian Premium Lager beer produced since 1906, originally by the Milan-based brewery of the same name; in 2020 ItalianBev, a company based in Bergamo, acquired the brand from HoReCaRe, which had owned it since 2007.

History
Birra Italia was founded in 1906, during the historical, cultural and artistic period of the Belle Époque. A positive, enthusiastic and innovation-friendly environment.

The first brewery was located in Corso Sempione in Milan, and one of the founders was Pietro Wührer Junior, son of Pietro Wührer. Three types of beer were produced, a lager, a dark, and a high proof ones, by drawing pure water, perfect for beer, from three wells situated right within the plant. Thanks to this resource, the brewery quickly became successful and in the 30's it absorbed Birra Milano, Birra Seriate owned by Von Wunster and Birreria Ambrosiana.

In the 50's began the decline of Birra Italia. A minor earthquake occurred in Milan irreparably ruined the water of Birra Italia wells making it hard and unsuitable for production. Afterwards, there were problems with trade unions and new management changes which determined, in 1972, the closing of the company and its exit from the business.

Only more than thirty years later, in 2007, the brand reborned with its acquisition by HoReCaRe, a company specialized in beverages, which restarted the production.

With the closing of the Triscele plant in Messina, the beer is brewed by Birra Castello in the brewery which until 2007 belonged to Birra Moretti, before the brand was bought by Heineken Group.

In 2020 the Bergamo-based company ItalianBev acquired the Birra Italia brand and renewed its image.

Current production
Birra Italia is currently produced in San Giorgio di Nogaro (UD), Italy.

It is brewed according to the original recipe and using only selected ingredients: this combination gives it the typical sparkling and refreshing taste that continues to make it gain popularity both in national and international markets. Today it is one of the very few international lagers that can claim to be 100% owned, managed and produced in Italy.

Characteristics
Birra Italia is a Premium Lager beer, a low fermentation light beer with an alcohol content of 4,7% vol.


 * Style: low fermentation beer, made with a blend of fine hops, giving it a pleasant and balanced taste.


 * Appearance:  straw gold color.  Nice and bright white head.


 * Taste: sweetly malty, balanced by a soft bitterness, mildly grassy.


 * Mouthfeel: medium-light in body and gently fizzy.


 * Overall: nice International lager, crisp and refreshing.

In order to be fully tasted it requires a temperature between 7° and 10°. It should not be drunk in bottle because the narrow neck prevents it from getting air and to develop all its aroma.

Foam plays an important role, because it protects the beverage from contact with air, keeping its taste and temperature longer.

Best pairings
Birra Italia, with its’ crisp and refreshing flavors of a well-brewed premium lager, finds a natural spot in most restaurants and bars with plenty of options for beer pairings.

Generally speaking  it pairs really well with almost every kind of food but it really goes great with spicy food, burgers, shrimp salads, fried fish, French fries and of course, being Italian, it’s great with pasta and pizza.